Culturing phytoplankton

[Susan Edwards]

I just started culturing my own phyto and copepods, along with brine shrimp. I just "harvested" my first gallon of phyto and split the other gallon into two to keep them going.

Question is, how long will the harvested phyto last in the fridge (cap is loose to allow breathing)? Can it be frozen in cubes and then thawed and fed to the tanks? Or does it have to be "live" to be of benefit. I know there is stuff you can buy that is not "alive" and I also know you can't freeze and restart a culture which is why I need to know how long it will last in a refridgerator in case I want a week or so break .

Anyone know what a good amt per gallon of tank water to feed? I can see I'll have a ton of this this at least until my copepod culture takes off!

I'm using also for growing out brine shrimp. I add newly hatched to a jar and harvest from there to feed to tank (draining and rinsing first). I figure most get used within a couple days, a few might grow out, and I'll lose some. I'm going to have my hubby make me a stand to hold 2 bottles, though if I can keep them alive in the separate jaw, having one to harvest every 2 days is probably enough. Seems to take 36-48 hours to get a batch.

I started my copepods as well. With 2 mandarins and a scooter, I'll need them.--the lighter green jar with spigot. Hoping it works.

My Set up. Lamp keeps it pretty much between 78-82

 

[sfin52]

I use all mine in two weeks. Remember to shake daily. It will settle at the bottom in the fridge.

 

[Susan Edwards]

@sfin52 How much do you feed your tank? I've read that it also works to help keep your tank clean and helps deal with nitrates. I do shake it daily. Any idea on freezing?

 

[SnowDog]

How often do you add fertilizer to your phyto culture? I'm starting a new one and wondering if I need to add fertilizer more than just when I fill the bottle with the starter and media.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I will add a few drops after I harvest and add more water. Or wait a day or 2. If it remains pale, then I add. If it doesn't grow, add.

 

[sfin52]

I add one mil a week harvest at end of one week add water and another mill. I harvest One liter a week from my batch. After I get this down I going to start tisbe pods and bb shrimp.

 

[sfin52]

 

[sfin52]

My set up. I get to harvest one litter a week. So my tank gets feed one litter a week. Trying to increase my pod population.

To be honest I never check nitrates. Last time I checked it was high.If I remember right it was close to 50 if not higher. No sps and my lps and softies don’t mind the high nitrates. So I don’t worry about it.

 

[JAMSOURY]

I just started culturing my own phyto and copepods, along with brine shrimp. I just "harvested" my first gallon of phyto and split the other gallon into two to keep them going.

Question is, how long will the harvested phyto last in the fridge (cap is loose to allow breathing)? Can it be frozen in cubes and then thawed and fed to the tanks? Or does it have to be "live" to be of benefit. I know there is stuff you can buy that is not "alive" and I also know you can't freeze and restart a culture which is why I need to know how long it will last in a refridgerator in case I want a week or so break .

Anyone know what a good amt per gallon of tank water to feed? I can see I'll have a ton of this this at least until my copepod culture takes off!

I'm using also for growing out brine shrimp. I add newly hatched to a jar and harvest from there to feed to tank (draining and rinsing first). I figure most get used within a couple days, a few might grow out, and I'll lose some. I'm going to have my hubby make me a stand to hold 2 bottles, though if I can keep them alive in the separate jaw, having one to harvest every 2 days is probably enough. Seems to take 36-48 hours to get a batch.

I started my copepods as well. With 2 mandarins and a scooter, I'll need them.--the lighter green jar with spigot. Hoping it works.

My Set up. Lamp keeps it pretty much between 78-82

Can you tell me what light you use? Thanks

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'm using just a cheap desk light from walmart for the brine shrimp and for heat. I forget what it is--not regular or led but that other one that is quite hot. I can check it later to see if it says. I have a leap led bar from amazon laying on its side on the window sil with the light pointing toward the cultures. The small desktop gooseneck light is on all the time

 

[sfin52]

I use a grow light and an led shop light

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

I have a culture but set up but on a gallon scale:

 

[sfin52]

That looks like a great culture. I use 2, two liter pop bottles.

 

[sde1500]

I grow in 2 liter bottles. Split weekly in half and add new fertilizer each week. Haven't ever refrigerated it, but you could for a couple weeks if you keep it stirred daily. Otherwise it settles and smothers itself. Harvesting every couple days is too early. Need to let it go longer.

As for dosing the tank it doesn't take much to cloud the tank. You won't really notice cleaner water or less nitrates from it. It isn't for that, just adds another food source for critters in the tank.

My setup.

 

[sfin52]

@sde1500 i do the same thing

 

[keddre]

You can fridge it for a couple of weeks or longer if you keep it shaken up. You will know when it's bad because it will smell like death.

You might be able to freeze without compromise if you mix in some food-grade glycerin. I know Brine Shrimp Direct lets you special order phyto in glycerin, but I don't know the ratio that's needed to be effective. This will kill them, but makes them just as useful for "feeding."